Fructan-based epilatory compositions

Abstract

The invention relates to an epilatory mixture comprising a fructan, preferably inulin. Furthermore, an epilatory composition is disclosed comprising said epilatory effective mixture. Also a method of use of said epilatory composition of the invention for the removal of unwanted hair from the skin is disclosed, as well as a method of use of said composition for carrying out an epilatory treatment which can be carried out by a professional person as well as by a non-professional person.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. Epilatory mixture for removing undesired hair, comprising between 25 and 82 wt. % fructan, between 1 and 45 wt. % of at least one separately added monosaccharide, between 0.5 and 15 wt. % of a C1-C12 diol, and between 2 and 35 wt. % of a starch hydrolysate, said epilatory mixture exhibiting epilatory efficacy and adherence to the skin and hair over a temperature range of from 0° C. to 45° C. 
     
     
       2. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 1 , wherein the fructan comprises inulin. 
     
     
       3. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 1 , wherein the degree of polymerisation (DP) of the fructan ranges from 2 to 75. 
     
     
       4. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 1 , wherein the C 1 -C 12 -diol is methylpropanediol. 
     
     
       5. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixture further comprises between 1 and 25 wt. % water. 
     
     
       6. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixture further comprises water and a C 1 -C 12 -diol, and the sum of the water and C 1 -C 12 — diol ranges from 10 to 30 wt. %. 
     
     
       7. Epilatory composition comprising at least 90 wt. % on total composition of an epilatory mixture defined in  claim 1 , and optionally one or more further ingredients. 
     
     
       8. Epilatory composition according to  claim 7 , consisting essentially of an epilatory mixture defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       9. Epilatory composition according to  claim 7 , wherein said further ingredients comprise a perfume, a colouring agent, colour beads and water soluble plant extracts. 
     
     
       10. Epilatory mixture for removing undesired hair, said epilatory mixture exhibiting adherence to the skin and hair over a temperature range of from 0° C. to 45° C., wherein the mixture contains:
 38% to 72% inulin having a DP ranging from 2 to 12, 
 2% to 25% fructose, 
 4% to 6% methylpropanediol, 
 7% to 22% starch hydrolysate with a dextrose equivalent value (D.E.) of minimum 10 and containing maximum 7% glucose, 
 0% to 1.5% glucose, 
 0% to 10% saccharose, 
 8% to 15% water, 
 
       wherein the sum of the water and methylpropanediol ranges from 14% to 19.5% of the epilatory mixture and wherein the sum of the weight percentages adds to 100%. 
     
     
       11. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 10 , containing:
 50% to 70% inulin having a DP ranging from 2 to 12, 
 4% to 20% fructose, 
 4% to 6% methylpropanediol, 
 7% to 15% starch hydrolysate with a D.E. of minimum 10 and containing maximum 7% glucose, 
 0% to 1% glucose, 
 0% to 7% saccharose, 
 9% to 15% water, 
 
       wherein the sum of the water and methylpropanediol ranges from 14.5% to 19.0% weight of the epilatory mixture. 
     
     
       12. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 11 , wherein the inulin is oligofructose with a DP ranging from 2 to 9. 
     
     
       13. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 11 , wherein the starch hydrolysate contains maximum 5% glucose. 
     
     
       14. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 11 , wherein the starch hydrolysate contains maximum 3% glucose. 
     
     
       15. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 11 , wherein the starch hydrolysate has a D.E. of minimum 20. 
     
     
       16. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 11 , wherein the starch hydrolysate has a D.E. of minimum 30. 
     
     
       17. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 10 , containing:
 60% to 70% inulin having a DP ranging from 2 to 12, 
 4% to 10% fructose, 
 4% to 6% methylpropanediol, 
 7% to 10% starch hydrolysate with a D.E. of minimum 10 and containing maximum 7% glucose, 
 0% to 0.5% glucose, 
 0% to 5% saccharose, 
 9% to 15% water, 
 
       and wherein the sum of the water and methylpropanediol ranges from 14.5% to 19.0% weight of the epilatory mixture. 
     
     
       18. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 10 , wherein the inulin is oligofructose with a DP ranging from 2 to 9. 
     
     
       19. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 10  wherein the starch hydrolysate contains maximum 5% glucose. 
     
     
       20. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 19  wherein the starch hydrolysate contains maximum 3% glucose. 
     
     
       21. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 10 , wherein the starch hydrolysate has a D.E. of minimum 20. 
     
     
       22. Epilatory mixture according to  claim 21 , wherein the starch hydrolysate has a D.E. of minimum 30. 
     
     
       23. A method for the removal of hair from the skin comprising applying to the skin needing treatment the epilatory mixture defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       24. The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the epilatory mixture is applied in a layer on an area of the skin, the layer is subsequently covered with a paper strip or textile strip which is pressed onto said layer, and the strip is then removed by pulling it off in a single fast motion in the direction opposite to the hair growth taking with it unwanted hair that was present on the treated skin area. 
     
     
       25. The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the mixture is applied to human skin or the skin of a companion animal. 
     
     
       26. An epilatory treatment method comprising applying the epilatory mixture defined in  claim 1  to the skin. 
     
     
       27. The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the composition is applied to human skin or the skin of a companion animal. 
     
     
       28. An epilatory treatment method comprising applying the epilatory composition of  claim 7  to the skin. 
     
     
       29. The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the epilatory composition is applied in a layer on an area of the skin, the layer is subsequently covered with a paper strip or textile strip which is pressed onto said layer, and the strip is then removed by pulling it off in a single fast motion in the direction opposite to the hair growth taking with it unwanted hair that was present on the treated skin area.